182 SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURE. 



or altogether prevented. 8. In its consequences it is equiva- 

 lent to an actual deepening of the soil. 0. In wet soils, bone?, 

 wood-ashes, rape dust, nitrate of soda, and other artificial ma- 

 nures are almost thrown away. 10. He who drains confers a 

 benefit upon his neighbors also. 11. It produces a more salu- 

 brious climate, and conduces greatly to the health and moral 

 happiness of the whole population. 



Several different modes of draining are practiced in Great 

 Britain, which are worthy of notice some of them arc also 

 known and practiced in the United States. The, process of 

 draining by open ditches is the rudest, and was doubtless the 

 first form of draining. Covered drains were next substituted, 

 of various construction. One form of these is made by dig- 

 ging a ditch, and then filling it with straw or faggots, and cov- 

 ering it over with the earth which was thrown out. Another 

 form is excavated so as to taper to a point at the bottom, and 

 having a shoulder left at the height from the bottom which it 

 is desirable to cover the waier-course. This is then covered 

 by an inverted sod, which rests on the shoulders; after which 

 the earth thrown out in excavating is returned, and the surface 

 levelled. Another process is by the mole plow : another by 

 filling the bottom of a ditch with small stones of uniform size. 

 Two other forms, called in England tile and pipe drains, are 

 constructed by means of tile and pipes made of brick clay, 

 and are said to form water-courses which are both cheap and 

 durable. 



FALLOWING. 



"By fallowing, it has been known in all ages that the produce 

 of the land was capable of being increased. How is this in- 

 crease to be accounted for t We speak of leaving the land to 

 rest, but it can really never become wearied of bearing crops. 

 It cannot, through fatigue, lie in need of repose. In what, then, 

 does the efficacy of naked fallowing consist?" (Johnston.) 



Some agriculturists reject the practice of fallowing as use- 



